Zargis had just started up the stairs when he heard a scream. He turned and ran, going back the way he'd come, sure it was Jose.
A loud thud made him go faster, run harder. Otreg met him down the hall and they met eyes, a silent agreement between friends and soldiers.
"KESAR!"
Both males blinked, but ran towards the same door a moment after.
Breaking the door with the force of both, it crashed into splinters and let them see the scene within. Jose was being held by Einnig while Switch was holding a blade to her throat. Zargis halted, signaling Otreg to do the same.
Switch smiled in delight. "Come to join the party?"
"Let her go," Zargis said softly.
Switch shook his head. "I don't think so, King. You see, we had a deal. I fix her leg and she keeps quiet about me. She broke that promise!"
"You broke yours," the king countered. "Thelia thought you were her friend. Now, look at what you're doing: threatening her and this female. If you want her to trust you, end this here and now."
"You stole her away!" Switch roared. "You broke in and took her away! You then kept her from me!"
Behind Switch and Jose, through the window, Cam climbed silently inside, feet light. Zargis rushed on. "She's my mate! Do you think I would give up on her that easily?"
"The blood of many wouldn't be on your hands now if you had," Switch said.
"My hands?"
"You-"
"Let the girl go!"
Everyone turned to see Thelia enter the room, a knife in hand. Cam froze. Switch lowered the knife slightly. "Come with me, Thelia and she won't be harmed."
"It's dangerous, Switch! Can't you see that? Do you want to get hurt or risk me getting hurt?"
"I am hurt!" he yelled.
Thelia put a hand to her heart. "So am I. But that does t mean we hurt others."
"He took you!" Switch screamed, pointing at Zargis. "He took you from me!"
Thelia shook her head. "I'm sorry, Switch, but you never had me."
That was the wrong thing to say as Switch pulled his hand back and aimed. Thelia screamed and rushed forward, Zargis rushed to stop her, and Otreg to tackle Einnig. Cam prevented anyone getting hurt by knocking Sqitch out over the head. Zargis caught Thelia and Otreg grabbed Jose while Cam restrained Einnig.
"Let me go!" Einnig hissed. "I did nothing wrong!"
Cam hauled him out of the room with a roll of her eyes. Otreg was doing his best to hold a struggling Jose, but she wanted away. Soon, she began to scream.
Zargis made sure Thelia was unhurt, then helped his friend. He grabbed Jose's chin and made her look at him. When her screams quieted, he said, "Give me five minutes. I need to make sure Thelia is in no more harm, then we will go find Kesar. Does that sound good?"
Jose swallowed her fear and nodded.
"Otreg will stay with you until I'm finished. I will personally take you to Kesar if you are patient."
Jose relaxed, rested her head back on Otreg's shoulder, and closed her eyes.
Zargis went to Switch and, with Thelia's help, tied his hands and feet together. He then took her to the kitchens where Sayma would use a butcher knife to slice anyone who threatened the queen's life.
When he returned, Otreg had Jose on the window seat, still holding her so she didn't fall. Zargis didn't know why, but she looked worse than the last time she'd seen Switch: all life drained from her. He gently took the girl and stride to the training grounds, using his wings to speed up the walk.
It wasn't hard to find Kesar as he was one of only three green dragons Zargis had in his army.
Once Kesar saw the king and what he held, his whole body turned white.